WHAT I SMELL: Fanfare opens with an inviting bergamot and a very Lemon Pledge-like lemon that shines bright then retreats quickly to make way for some soft and demure florals. Fanfare is welcoming right from first spritz and I like the fact that it’s so approachable. After short time, hints of herbs seem to come up from below the citrus and florals. But in short order again, the herbal makes way for a buttery and creamy swath of juniper which is quite unexpected as juniper is typically in the sharper and dryer vein. But the cream ends quite quickly and a dry and smoky vetiver joins the juniper and becomes front and center which turns the perfume to the more masculine. Here the perfume melds juniper, vetiver and a vanilla’d musk to create a very handsome and sexy perfume that is very easy to like.
From the Thameen London website:
A Cologne Elixir inspired by the Flower Market at Covent Garden which has been immortalised by George Bernard Shaw’s Pygmalion.
Created by perfumer Bruno Jovanovic, Fanfare is a melodic fantasy with a touch of impertinence exuding the spirit of contemporary British aesthetic.
It opens with a beguiling watery floral and citrus accord, which slowly becomes darker as the structure evolves and becomes more daring with the vermouth accord. Finally, the noble woods bring this dark depth to the structure of the fragrance.
Top Notes: Bergamot, Lemon, Neroli, Flower Market Accord
Heart Notes: Rosemary, Vermouth, Juniper Berry
Base Notes: Musk, Patchouli, Vetiver
WHAT IT SMELLS LIKE TO ME: The quintessential English pub…from day to night.
THREE WORDS THAT DESCRIBE FANFARE: welcoming, interesting, handsome
WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING ABOUT FANFARE: CaFleureBon, Perfume Posse, I Fragrance
BOTTOM LINE: Fanfare is labeled as a Cologne Elixir. I have to say that it feels heftier than your typical cologne and that’s a good thing. There’s a lot to love with Fanfare and I for one will create some fanfare myself for this fantastic perfume.
- Bone Rating: 4.5 out of possible 5 bones
- Scent: Citrus Aromatic
- Nose: Bruno Jovanovic
- Classification: Unisex, but leans masculine
- Expense: $295 for 100 ml Cologne Elixir
* Sample provided by Twisted Lily Fragrance Boutique and Apothecary.
WHAT I SMELL: Aenotus greets the skin with a soft as silk citrus which glides along with a light touch of yuzu in a haze off of the skin. Incredibly inviting, Aenotus’ opening is all about comfort and reassurance with just the right amount of sunshine. After a while, and very quietly, the citrus notes seem to drift off as if the wind lightly carries them away. A warm and lightly sugared accord gracefully takes center stage, once again adding a layer of perfumed comfort. Aenotus doesn’t shout about it’s beauty, instead it confidently retreats from anything that can be construed as overt. A hazy oakmoss begins to then radiate, tinged with pettigrain, adding more comfort along with a subtle elegance. Here the perfume begins to illuminate lightly off of the skin which after a great deal of time finally surrenders to a most gracious musk. Aenotus quietly and effortlessly transforms in the most beautiful way.
WHAT IT SMELLS LIKE TO ME: Perfumed aura.
WHAT I SMELL: The first spritz of Zizan is a blast of citrus that is quickly tempered with a light mix of pepper and herbs. It’s very clear from the beginning that Zizan is classic male fragrance…there’s nothing avant-garde here. As it continues to develop, a sweetened floral mix entwines with the herbs as it warms the skin. Soon enough, a green vetiver comes forward with a lemony edge. Actually, it smells a bit like Lemon Pledge at this point. But at soon as I say that, it starts to have a boxing match with a more woody amber. There is a lot of movement with Zizan which is fine with me as I can’t wait to see where it settles down. As the perfume continues to morph, the warmth intensifies and there’s an increase in its projection off of the skin. At this point, the vetiver has a rather sharp edge, but lingering below may be some other notes to rein it in. After ten more minutes, the vetiver bows to the light amber. Still peppery and woody, Zizan begins to quiet down with just the right amount of fight.
WHAT IT SMELLS LIKE TO ME: Classic in its approach, Zizan’s confidence spreads to the wearer. Think Herb Alpert’s 1960’s classic album, “Whipped Cream & Other Delights.” Full of energy and oh so sexy.
The Scented Hound 